Townsville AirportTownsville Aiport gateway to North Queensland2015-07-31T06:40:28Zhttp://www.townsvilleairport.com.au/feed/atom/WordPressjmeredithhttp://www.townsvilleairport.com.auhttp://www.townsvilleairport.com.au/?p=42452015-05-19T06:40:39Z2015-05-19T06:40:39ZTownsville Airport today released its Major Development Plan (MDP) for a $40 million upgrade to existing terminal and apron facilities.

Mr Gill said the last upgrade to the existing terminal facility occurred in 2003 and the asset is in need of further development.

“While improvements have been made and facilities maintained, there have been no significant upgrades to the core airport infrastructure since 2003, leaving us behind other regional airports.

“Our aim is that in 2015 we will fast track a $40M airport redevelopment that breathes new life into the airport and improves the user experience.

“We have a plan to improve the airport and this will be phase-one of a program of infrastructure upgrades that we will progress over the next 10 years,” Mr Gill said.

QAL Managing Director Dennis Chant said the airport’s decision to progress to an MDP process was in response to community feedback.

“QAL will fund the initial redevelopment works. Once the first phase of major works is complete we will ask airline passengers to pay up to $3.00 extra on the price of an airfare in and out of Townsville Airport from 2017.

“These charges are still lower than our peers at Cairns and Darwin and, in real dollar terms, are a significant discount to the charges set 10 years ago.

“The reality for regional airports, like Townsville, is that this sort of major infrastructure project will not happen without some kind of increase in charges. Townsville Airport charges for major airline partners have essentially remained static for a decade, which is not sustainable,” Mr Chant said.

Mr Gill said the airport is asking for the community to support the adjustment in the passenger charge to make it possible for Townsville Airport to deliver the major upgrade that the airport needs and the community deserves.

“This is about the airport taking part in the revitalisation of this city. We note The Ville, new stadium, JCU and port projects have all provided much-needed positive news for the city in recent weeks.

“Our passengers have been telling us for some time that they want a terminal facility and gateway to the city that they can be proud of. We have been listening.

“We will deliver ongoing facility improvements as well as hundreds of construction jobs throughout this project, at a time Townsville needs them most,” Mr Gill said.

Highlights of the MDP include:

Reconfiguration of the existing international departure lounge to function as a swing international/domestic lounge for arrivals/departures area

Rationalisation of existing, underutilised office space to increase the overall capacity of the seating areas in the arrivals/departures area

Upgrade and expansion of the security screening area to reduce congestion

Rationalisation of the existing check-in area to accommodate additional check-in kiosks

The addition of new shop front spaces, which are expected to be occupied by food outlet and other retail

Extension of the upper concourse to provide two new club lounge facilities and help meet the growing needs of business travellers

Extension of the ground floor to relocate Virgin and Qantas engineering offices

]]>0ZOIKhttp://www.townsvilleairport.com.au/?p=41192015-04-30T02:03:17Z2015-04-23T23:20:26ZTownsville Airport welcome Jetstar’s announcement that direct services to Bali will commence in September this year.

Chief Operating Officer of Townsville Airport, Mr Kevin Gill, has praised city leaders for their support in securing the return of international air services to Townsville.

“This new service will offer North Queenslander’s greater choice, affordability and convenience in their travel options.

“Denpasar is not just an exciting destination in its own right, but it’s also a major international air services hub with direct connections to many major cities around the world.

“This is exciting news for Townsville and puts our airport and city back on the international travel map,” Mr Gill said.

Mr Gill said the Jetstar decision was built on the work of a range of people and organisations who had supported Townsville Airport in advocating for the return of international air services.

“We applaud the decision of the Federal Government earlier this year to grant Townsville full international status, which helps meet the considerable cost of vital border protection services.

“Local Federal member Ewen Jones MP, Mayor Cr Jenny Hill and the team at Townsville Enterprise lobbied strongly for the reintroduction of these services and they have played a big role in this successful outcome.

“We acknowledge and thank Jetstar for their ongoing commitment to the region. This is a great day in the history of Townsville Airport and the city.

“I encourage North Queenslander’s to embrace the new service when it starts in September, proving that there is a growing appetite for direct international services from Townsville,” Mr Gill said.

Services commence 2nd September (subject to government and regulatory approval) and will operate three times per week.

]]>0jmeredithhttp://www.townsvilleairport.com.auhttp://www.townsvilleairport.com.au/?p=40992015-03-30T03:00:06Z2015-03-30T03:00:06ZPlease be advised that the Stinson Avenue pedestrian crossing will be moved tonight (30 March 2015) to the new location north along Stinson Avenue.

This allows vehicles to properly view the crossing, improving safety for all airport users.

Townsville Airport has installed a new path, lighting and shade cover so staff and passengers can safely and comfortably access the new pedestrian crossing, while fencing will deter crossing at the corner.

Townsville Airport has the all-clear for the flights after the Federal Government agreed to subsidise the cost of providing border protection services.

Jetstar has repeatedly said it wants to begin flights between Townsville and Bali this year, but the Bulletin understands the controversy over the planned executions of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran has delayed negotiations.

Townsville Airport chief operating officer Kevin Gill said negotiations with a number of airlines were continuing.

“The airport continues to have constructive discussions with the airlines and based on the level of public interest, the airport remains confident that there will be sufficient demand to support a service,” he said.

“The airport remains hopeful services will commence this year. We are open for business to international destinations.”

A spokesman for Jetstar said the airline was committed to beginning flights between Townsville and Bali this year,

“We’ve been clear about our interest in operating international flights from Townsville later this year,” the spokesman said.

“There are a number of steps that we need take before this can happen which we are in the process of going through now.”

A spokesman for AirAsia said the airline was also considering operating flights out of the airport.

“AirAsia is still strongly considering services between Townsville and Bali but essentially nothing to update at this stage from previous advice,” the spokesman said.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott visited Townsville last month, promising to subsidise customs and border security costs at the airport so airlines did not have to foot the bill.

]]>0jmeredithhttp://www.townsvilleairport.com.auhttp://www.townsvilleairport.com.au/?p=39552015-03-06T06:00:42Z2015-03-06T05:54:19ZTownsville Airport wishes to advise changes to the traffic conditions on the corner of Stinson Avenue and Halifax Street.

Motorists entering Townsville Airport via Halifax Street, please adhere to the give way sign on the corner of Stinson Avenue. Traffic from Stinson Avenue turning right into Coral Sea Drive has the right of way. The stop sign has been removed.

Townsville Airport reminds motorists to follow traffic signs and adhere to the speed limit at all times.

International flights between Bali and Townsville have been given the green light by the Federal Government.

Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss will travel to Townsville today to announce that Townsville Airport will be able to operate international flights from March 1.

Herbert MP Ewen Jones has been lobbying colleagues in Canberra to cover the cost of providing the services and a breakthrough was achieved this week.

Townsville Airport has been in discussions with AirAsia and Jetstar to commence direct flights bu the high cost of providing customs, quarantine and border protection services had been a sticking point.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said increased visitor numbers would boost North Queensland’s tourism industry and unlock the region’s full potential.

“I hope that these plans can now be finalised and flights can commence in the near future,” Mr Abbott said.

“Opening Townsville Airport to international flights helps to deliver on the Government’s commitment to developing the North,” Mr Abbott said.

Mr Jones said he had worked hard in achieving the breakthrough but it was difficult as it was not an election commitment in 2013.

“The big thing was to find the money and then not to create a precedent where every other airport in Australia put their hand up for it,” he said.

“In 2013 I said Townsville has to become an international city.

“I worked very hard on this but this was a whole-of-government approach. There wasn’t any stage where we threw our hands up as a government to say ‘this can’t be done’.”

Airport chief executive Kevin Gill said he hoped to now establish a ­permanent international airport.

“Townsville Airport welcomes the Abbott government’s announcement to provide border services to the airport, enabling us to attract international carriers and commence international services, and we particularly acknowledge the effort of Herbert MP Ewen Jones,” he said.

“The announcement is a clear acknowledgment from the Federal Government that Townsville is at the forefront of its northern Australia agenda. We have submitted our application to have permanent ­border agencies and now urge government to approve this application as a matter of urgency to enable flights to commence.”

AirAsia has expressed interested in commencing direct flights between Townsville and Denpasar three times a week and discussions with Townsville Airport have been underway for some time.

Jetstar has also expressed its interest in introducing direct flights to Bali in the second half of this year.

INTERNATIONAL flights between Townsville and Bali could commence shortly with the Federal Government expected to underwrite the cost of setting up customs and immigration services.

Herbert MP Ewen Jones has been lobbying his colleagues in Canberra to cover the cost of providing the services and a breakthrough is expected in the coming weeks.

Townsville Airport has been in discussions with AirAsia and Jetstar to commence direct flights but the high cost of providing customs, quarantine and border protection services has been a sticking point.

While a charge of $55 per passenger is levied at other airports with regular international services, it is understood the Department of Immigration and Border Protection had called for $90 per passenger to be levied at Townsville to account for the increased costs of flying staff to the city.

Herbert MP Ewen Jones said he had been in regular contact with the Prime Minister’s office, as well as Transport Minister Warren Truss and new Immigration Minister Peter Dutton.

“I remain confident for a great result. It’s just about when we can get the parties to sign,” he said.

“We feel very confident we will have something worth talking to Townsville Airport about. This has been a whole-of-government approach.

“Peter Dutton has been very forthright and proactive since taking on the role of Immigration Minister. Being from Queensland, he understands Townsville and the nature of the business.”

Townsville Airport chief executive Kevin Gill said he was continuing constructive negotiations with a number of airlines and the Federal Government.

“It is evident from the level of interest that demand exists for international services and it is imperative that a solution acceptable to all parties is reached as soon as possible,” he said.

It is understood AirAisa is interested in commencing direct flights between Townsville and Denpasar three times a week.

A spokesman for AirAsia said discussions with Townsville Airport had been underway for some time but no services to Townsville were imminent

“Townsville, like other regional centres in Australia and elsewhere, has the capacity to sustain international services for inbound and outbound tourism opportunities and will continue to be considered,” the spokesman said.

Jetstar has also expressed its interest in introducing direct flights to Bali in the second half of this year, but won’t commit until the customs issue has been resolved.

A group called Spaceport Australia, led by Rockhampton man John Moody, is leading the charge to take the city into the space age.

Mr Moody, a musician and producer, rejected suggestions he was not a serious player. He is investigating three potential spaceport sites in Queensland, at Townsville, Rockhampton and Toowoomba. Townsville appears to be leading the race.

“The main thing about Townsville is you have a 10,000-foot runway,” Mr Moody said.

“That’s very attractive. We need a 10,000-foot runway for safety features.”

Mr Moody has approached the State Government and Townsville Airport, and is also lobbying corporations involved in space development, which he says want to base operations here if authorities are supportive.

“It comes down to who is paying attention and a review of which (proposed site) is better, “ Mr Moody said.

“What I am looking at doing is getting a space industry happening in Australia.”

Mr Moody said space flights for tourists would be the cost-effective entry point for establishing the industry.

He said US space corporation XCOR Aerospace, which begins testing its Lynx spacecraft this year, had “pretty much confirmed” they would come here if he could secure an airport.

Townsville Airport manager Kevin Gill, also chairman of development authority Townsville Enterprise, confirmed the airport had been approached and was prepared to listen.

“This is an interesting one,” Mr Gill said. “Townsville Airport is open to consider all and every aviation-related business activity.”

A spokesman for the ­Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning confirmed its officers had met with Mr Moody and were providing advice.

“The Department advised Mr Moody his proposal needed significant work and he needed to establish a proper business case,” the spokesman said. “The Department suggested a number of contacts in the science community for Mr Moody to seek guidance.”

Mr Moody said he had also contacted federal authorities, including the office of the chief defence scientist.

He said governments would fund infrastructure including hangar, terminal and carpark if major space players were prepared to come.

Mr Moody has set up a Spaceport Australia Facebook page with hopes of establishing a first stage by mid-2016, and plans to come to Townsville this month to look at ­facilities.

]]>0jmeredithhttp://www.townsvilleairport.com.auhttp://www.townsvilleairport.com.au/?p=34512014-11-20T01:20:47Z2014-10-31T04:01:53ZTownsville Enterprise will present the North Queensland Tourism Awards this evening recognising excellence in the tourism, events and hospitality industry.

The Awards are the region’s most credible tourism benchmarking exercise and attract nominations from operators throughout North Queensland, across 15 categories.
For the eighth consecutive year, Townsville Airport are the naming rights sponsor of the Awards.

“Townsville Airport’s long-term sponsorship of the North Queensland Tourism Awards is a fitting way to acknowledge and reward the great tourism product offerings of this region.
“We are proud to have been the major sponsor of the awards over the past seven years, and enjoy working closely with Townsville Enterprise to support and encourage increased visitation to Townsville and our surrounds,” Mr Gill said.

“As the gateway to the region, Townsville Airport congratulates all finalists on their outstanding contributions to the tourism industry.”

Townsville Enterprise General Manager Tourism and Events, Patricia O’Callaghan, said the awards showcase Townsville North Queensland as a diverse and vibrant tourism destination.

“The high calibre of the nominations received this year is testament to Townsville North Queensland’s reputation of having a diverse range of experiences on offer.

“The awards recognise and acknowledge the accomplishments, achievements and hard work invested by our tourism operators into the industry which attracted over 1.2 million visitors who spent $662m here in Townsville North Queensland last financial year.”

The awards will recognise the most worthy recipient of categories such as best tourist attraction, major festivals and events, the Young Achievers Award, and the Award for Excellence in Sustainable Tourism.

The North Queensland Tourism Awards Night takes place Friday 31 October 2014 at the Mercure Townsville.